Long Beach International Film Festival Kicks Off On Long Island
LONG BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Grab your best beach chair and settle down on the sand -- the 5th Annual Long Beach International Film Festival has arrived.
The opening ceremony for this three-day summer tradition kicks off at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Allegria Hotel along the Long Beach boardwalk. From Aug. 3 -5, visitors can catch up to 40 different short and feature-length films, documentaries and animated features, produced by artists and directors from across the world.
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The festival also celebrates the local history and culture of Long Island, with films like "Fire & Water--" which examines the history of New York City, the FDNY and Long Island surf culture -- or "A Rising Tide," which focuses on a chef and his family's struggle to recover after Superstorm Sandy.
New York City-based documentaries include "Cherry's In Season," focusing on a Fire Island bar and one bartender's involvement in the Gay Rights Movement, along with "Saving Jamaica Bay --" which highlights the struggle to preserve wildlife in one of the island's most fragile ecosystems.
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On Friday, festival-goers can gather on the beach to watch short films on the sand in front of the Allegria Hotel, or feast at "Taste on the Beach--" a food and wine extravaganza featuring fare from local restaurants and wineries.
For a full listing of shows and ticket information, click here.